Bed lifter



p 1953 A. B. BELL 2,650,795

BED LIFTER Filed June 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR:

A"2'Q B BZl,

BY @JJMQL ATTORNEYS.

p 1, 1953 A. B. BELL 2,650,795

BED LIFTER Filed June 2, 1950 2 SheetsSheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BED LIFTER Alfred B. Bell, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application June 2, 1950, Serial N 0. 165,837

Claims. 1

This invention has general reference to portable lifting devices useful for elevating the ends of articles of furniture to facilitate cleaning the supporting surface thereunder.

More particularly my invention has for a primary object to provide an improved type of bedlifter characterized by structural refinements whereby said lifter may be used with assurance that the bed is positively restrained against movement tending to release the lifter therefrom. In other words, when the lifter is in active position with the bed elevated at one end, said bed in addition to the lifter is effectively kept stationary.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable bed-lifter which can be easily applied to and released from a bed end with a minimum of physical effort.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bed-lifter that is simple in construction, comparatively cheap to manufacture, and very durable in character.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type above indicated which will be extremely useful in sick rooms and similar places where it is desirable that the foot or head end of a bed be raised for relief of those suffering from cardiac trouble or other ailments necessitating inclination of the body for comfortable repose.

With the foregoing and other objects, as well as ancillary advantages, in view which will hereinafter appear as the nature of my invention is fully described; said invention essentially consists in the nove1 features of construction and combination of parts, illustrated by the accompanying two sheets of drawings, and more particularly defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a broken elevational view of a typical embodiment of my improved lifter device with a. fragmentary portion, at the upper left-hand of said figure, in section to better show otherwise obscured structural features.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, as viewed looking'from the right toward the left-hand of said figure and as initially applied to a bed end, prior to elevating the latter, with the actuatorhandle omitted.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to the preceding but showing the bed end elevated by the lifter, and the latter inclined over from the vertical incidental to elevation of one end of the bed.

Fig. 4 is a broken elevation and part sectional View of the lower and upper sections of the lifter drawn to larger scale, and with the handle part of the actuator omitted to compact the illustration.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation taken as indicated by the angled arrows V--V at the upper left-hand of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a broken plan. action taken approximately as indicated by the angled arrows VIVI in the lower part of Fig. l, but drawn to larger scale for clearer illustration of important details.

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are cross-sections respectively taken as indicated by the angled-arrows VIP-VII, VIII-VIII and IX-IX in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan section taken as: indicated by the staggered dot-and-dash line.-

X-X in Fig.6; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail section showinghow the base parts of the elevator device are. connected together.

In the drawings herewith like characters of reference are applied to corresponding parts in all the views, and in the descriptive matter specific terms are employed for the sake of clarity; but it is to be understood that the scope of my invention is not thereby limited; each such term being intended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same function for an analogous purpose.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the lifter-device of this invention comprises a base which I conveniently and comprehensively term a triangulate stand II. This stand H is conveniently, although not necessarily, made of seamless steel tubing of appropriate diameter and gage to include a center post l2, opposedly inclined branches l3 merging into spaced extensions M, and axially aligned braces l5. By way of example only, the center post l2 may be of one-inch tubing, the branches l3 and extensions i l of seven-eighths inch tubing and the braces 15 of three-quarter inch tubing. It is to be noted, however, that the upper ends of the inclined branches I3 are appropriately shaped for abutment against the center post [2 and integrated thereto by surrounding fillet-welds as typically indicated at [6, Figs. 1 and 4. In like manner the braces [5 are united to the center post I2 and branch extensions [4 by similar welds ll, l8, respectively. The tubular center post l2, as well as the free ends of the branch extensions Hi are, respectively, equipped with semi-spherical concave-convex section socket caps I9, 20 integrated, or otherwise rigidly secured, tosaid post I2 and extensions It by welds 2!, in an obvious manner. Other means such as hard-rubber, or ball casters may be substituted for the socket caps I9, 20 without departing from the scope of my invention; but it is to be particularly remarked that the lower outer surface of the center-post socket cap I9, see Figs. 1 and 2, normally, never contacts the supporting surface or floor 22 on which the stand ll seats, for a reason hereinafter explained.

Supported by and movable relative to the triangulate stand I i is the elevator device or means comprehensively designated 23. This elevator device or means 23 comprises a main element or plate component 24, preferably of the cross-sec tion best understood from Figs. 6-9 inclusive; said component being suitably shaped to embody a back or rigid component 25 including spaced ribs 26 and side flanges 21, with the latter retroverted inwards at 28 to define parallel grooves 29, for snug reception of the outwardly directed flanged edges 30 of a member 3|. This member 3| is of somewhat channel section, see Figs. 7 and 9 to best advantage, with the web portion 32 suitably depressed to arcuate section, for a purpose hereinafter set forth; whereas the -side poi-'- tions 33 are opposedly depressed at 34, Figs. l-l, at the location of a follower nut 45, hereinafter further explained.

Rotatable in the center postjlZ is a vertical shaft 35 embodying a plain or lower section 31 for seating in the bore 38 'of said post and it is held in place by aset-screw 39 engaged in a lateral and interiorlythi"eaded socket 19, 'provided for the purpose, on the post l2; whereas said set-screw 3% preferably has the inner end tapered at ii for eoaction with a ccmpie'inentally sectioned groove 42 in the lower section 3'i of the shaft 33, see Fig. 9, to best advantage. The shaft '33 also includes an intermediate screwthreaded section 13, for operative e'o'action with the correspondingly threaded bore M of a miiltisided follower-nut 15, later on herein again referred to; as well as an upper or coaxial diametrically-reduced smooth extension 53. Freely fitting the extension 45, between the screwthreaded section A3 is a tubular hand-grasp 4? which may have the exterior surface milled, or otherwise fashioned for grippage by the users one hand; while said grasp W is prevented freih lengthwise displacement by aid of a retainer collar 48 secuied in piece by a screw 49, in an obvious manner. As best shown by 4 and the shaft reduced extension is is axially drilled to provide a bore Bil, while it is longitudinally slotted at 5! for reception of the downwardlyangled stein portion 52 of an actuator 53. Fig. 1; whereas said stern 5Q is restrained agains't turning movement relative to the shaft 35, by aid of that portion, outwardly relative to the stein 52, engaging in the longitudinal slot 5!. The actuator 53 is prevented from aecidental re inoval, fiom the bore 5:3, by means of a capscrew 54 threaded in the outer end of the shaft bore 56, as readily understood by those con vei'sant with the art. The outer end of the actuator 53 is conveniently bent upwards at 55, Fig. l, and is equipped with a freely rotative grasp or handle 56, for operating the lifter dr ell; vator means 23 as hereinafter described.

Referring back again to the followerut 125, see Figs. 1 to 4 and 8, the same has integrated thereto as by welds 51, what I preferably terriia carriage-guide 58, the same consisting of a rigid metal strip having the respective ends provided with guide eyes or loops 59, through which are guided the parallel legs 69 of an tl-sh'aped elonf gate stabilizer unit 6|, conveniently of half-inch diameter seamless metal tubing, with the free ends closed-in by cap-screws 52; whereas the medial portion of the bend 63 is integrated to the stand center-post l2 at 64, see Fig. 1; and also to the parallel legs 6!] of the unit 8| at 64', see Fig. 1. In addition to the foregoing described means the movement of the carriage nernber' 3[ may be further stabilized by providing one or more inverted U-shaped guide straps 65', see Figs. 1-3, with clearance over the threaded-sec; tion 43 of the shaft 35, which may be formed with said member 3|, or be integrated thereto, as

readily understood more particularly on examination of Fig. '7. It is observable the strap 65 affords a regional clearance '65? around the shaft threaded section to enable slight angular self-adjustment of the carriage member 3|, with respect to the plane of the stand I l as the latter inclines away from, and to, the vertical during elevation of the lifter device.

Attention is now directed to the provision of thefollower nut 45 with axially aligned stepped tearihg pihs 66 the diametrically largest portions 1 whereof abut opposed walls of said nut to afford fulcrum connection for the complementally apertured ends of carriage supports oi braces 58 convehi'entl'y of half-round edged b'af s ck, for ega pr cn1y. The braces 68 are pr erably sheathed with resilient material tubing 68 to prevent said braces from damaging surraces with they may come incontact. Each bieee 58 has its lower end integrated at 69 to the which p-ertioi in of a angle-section foothate H, see Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 10, more particularly; w ereas the horizontal portion '12 of said feet 'a'te ii is ed-hipped with a non-slip tread 13, while it else 'aifi'ords support for an underlying laterally adiustabl'e retainer element 14 having one edge portion flanged at T5, with its upper edge curved outwardsat 16, for a purpose later on her'einplafiiied. Adjustment of the ret'aiiieiyemiiiht 14 relative to the foot-plate T! is attaifi' eqll ippihg said plate "I! with individual holes 'ilfor variable registration with serially spa'ced holes 18 in the retainer element '54, and passaget erethreiigh r clamp-bolts '59 in an obviiiiis manner. It is also to be understood that the tread I3 is furnished with holes 83 for passagehf the belt-heads 19' into engagement with the feot-'plate 1], when theclamp nuts 8| t ere's-h aretightened-up; and all of which will be clearly apparent to those conversant with the related arts. a I a y A Refeifring again to the bearing pins 66 it is to be observed that the intermediate sections 82 thereof engagein, orfulcrum between, the beariiig brackets, heiei'rihefore described; whereas the sinalleif diameter portions 83 of said pins are fitted with lack washers 84, against which the outboard ends of the pins 66 are peened or i-v'eteai at 85 fof maintenance of the parts 66, 35, t8 aha 45 ii asseiiiiiiiy. 86, Figs. 2,- 3 aha 6-10 inclusive, designates a felt or eth r suitable material protective pad. cemented to the back of the lifter component 2} that serves to prevent inaikingoi otherwise damaging the confronting bed end 81, Figs. 2 and 3; V

Having desiiib d the structural features of my inventiefi it will be readily understood that to sufliciently raise the foe -bo" ard end 81 of any old style or inode'rii type of bed, relative to the supporting surface of flooi 22, the head end of such tea shdiiie be firstly drawn away from th adieeeiit wall abiiit ten te twelve inches, whereupon the adget foot-plate 1 I, 14 is pushed under approf iiniately the central portion of foot-board end 8'], with the i'flaiige 15 clearing the inside face of the said end 81 asclearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Particular attention is diirecte'd, at this Juneture, to the factthat the socket cap; l9 or the cener part I? at all tim''s' is clear of the floor 22, whereby the rigidity or the stand H with the lifter" device 23, as 9' mill), is positively maintained and lateralmovement thereof relative to the bed end are; fiodif 22 is prevented. The operator or user of the liftr device 23 next grips the grasp 41 with either hand and turns the actuator 53 clockwise with the other hand, whereupon the non-slip tread 73 is brought upwardly into engagement with the lower edge of the foot-board 8!. Continued rotation of the actuator 53 will thereupon, obviously, effect elevation of the bed 8'! to the desirable extent for the cleaner to not only see under the bed but enable much more expeditious movement of the floor cleaning equipment. On the other hand when the floor cleaning operation has been completed, the lifter-device of my invention is just as promptly released by the simple expedient of reversing rotation of the actuator 53, or by turning the latter in a counter-clockwise direction.

From the foregoing disclosure it is felt the merits and advantages of my invention will be clearly understood, and while I have described in detail one practical embodiment of said invention, the same is not to be construed as limitative, inasmuch as the lifter device may be substantially an all steel set up, with the screws, bolts and nuts of dissimilar material; or of wood and steel construction, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as more particularly defined in the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, a triangulate stand including a hollow center-post with opposedly inclined branches embodying angularly-related portions merging into spaced extensions; axially aligned braces rigidly connecting said extensions to the center-post, and a caster element secured to the free end of each such extension for point contact with the device supporting surface; elevator means mounted to the triangulate stand including a rigid component and a lifter-component movable relative thereto, as well as having joint capacity for slight angular self-adjustment with respect to the plane of the stand aforesaid; a foot-piece at the lower end of the lifter-component for projection below an article of furniture, to be inclined to the horizontal at times, for easy access thereunder; an operating shaft, socketed and turnably restrained in the base center-post with a reduced extension thereabove, and said shaft also embodying a screw-threaded section and a lower plain section; a follower on the operating shaft screw-threaded section having axially aligned bearing-pins; apertured brackets projecting from the lifter-component for reception of the follower bearing pins, and said follower also including spaced guide eyes; a stabilizer unit embodying parallel portions engaged through the guide eyes, and said unit being rigidly secured to the center-post and inclined branches of the triangulate stand; and actuator mechanism carried by the operating shaft, outwardly of its screwthreaded section, whereby said shaft is rotatable to effect inclined elevation of an article of furniture relative to its supporting surface and return thereto.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the liftercomponent foot-piece is preferably in the form of an angle-section plate; and wherein the furniture engageable portion of said plate, as well as the article of furniture confronting parts of the lifter device, are equipped with durable resilient material, effective to prevent defacement or damage to the contacting portions of said article of furniture.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the triangulate center-post, as well as both inclined branch extension lower end castor elements, are preferably in the form of semi-spherical concavo-convex socket-caps; and wherein the center-post socket-cap is positioned at a level to clear the supporting surface when the lifterdevice is in use.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the elevator rigid-component is in the form of a plate embodying spaced ribs and side flanges, with the latter lengthwise retroverted to define parallel grooves, and wherein said rigid-component also includes apertured bearing elements; wherein the relatively movable component is of channel-section with the web portion inwardly depressed to arcuate formation for partial reception of the operating-shaft screw-threaded section; wherein the side flanges of said movable-component are outwardly angled along their free edges for slidable engagement in the rigid component parallel grooves; and wherein said side flanges are opposedly depressed intermediate their ends.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein the follower i in the form of a multi-sided nut; wherein the axially-aligned bearing-pins project from opposed faces of said nut and are stepped outwardly; and wherein the outer ends of said pins are equipped with attaching means, for the purpose specified.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein the operating-shaft reduced extension is axially bored and includes a longitudinal slot for reception of an angled actuator member; and. wherein the free end portion of said extension bore is threaded for reception of a cap-screw effective to normally prevent accidental separation of the parts aforesaid.

7. The invention of claim 1 further including a sleeve freely mounted on the operating shaft reduced extension, intermediate the screwthreaded section and a retainer collar made fast to said extension upper portion; and wherein the outer surface of said sleeve is suitably roughened to serve as a hand-grasp.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer unit consists of a U-shaped tube with its leg portions slidable through the follower guideeye and their free ends closed-in by cap-screws; and wherein the medial portion of said U-shaped tube, as well as opposed parts of legs are, respectively, integrated to the triangulate stand center post and the opposedly inclined branches of said post.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein the footpiece of the lifter-component comprise an anglesection plate and a relatively adjustable retainerplate; and wherein said retainer-plate embodies an upwardly directed flange having the free edge thereof outwardly curved.

10. The invention of claim 1 further including means effective to positively restrain the operating-shaft from lengthwise displacement; said means comprising an interiorly-threaded radial projection from the triangulate-stand centerpost; and a set-screw in said projection having its inner end tapered for coaction with a groove in the lower section of the operating shaft aforesaid.

ALFRED B. BELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,042,662 Fillion, Sr Oct. 29, 1912 1,067,625 Smith July 15, 1913 2,031,181 Smith Feb. 18, 1936 2,230,534 Elmer et al. Feb. 4, 1941 

